Uganda U20 Women’s National Team registered its first win at the ongoing African Games in Ghana after defeating Ethiopia on Tuesday at Cape Coast Stadium.
The Queen Cranes earned a 2-0 win over the Ethiopians thanks to two goals from Catherine Nagadya and Docus Lwalisa in the first half.
Uganda came into today’s game on the back of a one-all draw against Tanzania in their opening game.
Coach Sheryl Botes made just one change from the team that had started against Tanzania with Juliet Nalukenge starting ahead of Krusum Namutebi.
A perfect start saw Uganda take the lead through captain Nagadya with Nalukenge being the provider.
There were further chances for Uganda with Nagadya and Nalukenge getting them in intervals but failed to score.
It was left back Lwalisa who doubled the advantage for Uganda a minute to the half hour mark.
Lwalisa’s free kick from distance beat Ethiopia’s goalkeeper Genet Ermiyas Iltro who had moved a few inches off the line.
The Olila High School student nearly got her second on the day off a ferocious strike outside the box but her effort hit the crossbar.
Uganda was forced into making a change in the 43rd minute when defender Shakirah Nankwanga was stretchered off. She was replaced by midfielder Krusum Namutebi.
Therefore, Uganda played the rest of the game with a makeshift central defence pairing of Namutebi and Phionah Nabulime.
At the very end of the first half, Nagadya raced off the centre line, beat a defender for pace but failed to put the ball beyond the goalkeeper.
In the second half, Ethiopia mounted several attacks and indeed came close but goalkeeper Sharon Kaidu was always alert to thwart any danger.
Shamirah Nalugya, Immaculate Kizza and Harima Kanyago would later come on to replace Nagadya, Nalukenge and Catherine Wujja.
The win moves Uganda to four points in two games and will face hosts Ghana in the final group game.
Uganda U20 Starting XI
Sharon Kaidu, Catherine Wujja, Docus Lwalisa, Phionah Nabulime, Shakirah Nankwanga, Latifah Nakasi, Shamusa Najjuma, Catherine Nagadya, Juliet Nakukenge, Margret Kunihira, Zainah Nandede
Substitutes
Esther Akujo (GK), Cecilia Kamuli (GK), Patricia Akiror, Harima Kanyago, Immaculate Kizza, Krusum Namutebi, Shakirah Nalugya, Claire Hilder Kebirungi, Sumaya Nabuto
